Victoria Azarenka says she is not intimidated in the slightest about the prospect of having to play Serena Williams for a place in the final of the US Open.
The former world No.1 is through to her first Grand Slam semi-final since 2013 after crushing Elise Mertens 6-1, 6-0, to make it the 10th consecutive match she has won in a row. Azarenka also won the Western and Southern Open leading up to the major and has only dropped one set in five matches played at the US Open. Although she potentially faces her toughest test next in the last four.
Awaiting Azarenka in the next round will be nemesis Williams, who is closing in on winning a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. The American endured a tougher route into the semi-finals after coming back from a set down to defeat Tsvetana Pironkova.
“I love playing against Serena. I think we have one of the best matches – at least that I played in my career – against her,” said Azarenka.
“ We always played on big stages. There were a lot of big fights. She’s one of the players who push me to the limit, who makes me better. I’m excited for that.”
Since their first clash in the third round of the 2008 Australian Open, Azarenka has played Williams 22 times on the Tour. She currently trails their head-to-head 4-18 and lost their most recent meeting in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last year. However, Azarenka believes their previous meeting isn’t an accurate predictor of what may happen on Thursday.
“I think we both were not really playing well at that time,” she said about her match in Indian Wells. “I think the semifinal of a Grand Slam is a different stage. It’s going to be a different fight. I’m looking forward to it.”
Taking on the American on the big stage is a challenge Azarenka is relishing. Nine of her career WTA finals have been against Williams with six of those occurring at a Premier event and two at the US Open in 2012 and 2013.
For the 31-year-old, she believes playing Williams will give her a true indication of where her form currently is. Branding her upcoming opponent as the most mentally tough on the Tour.
“I like playing against the best. That’s where you see yourself, your level, the biggest challenge,” she explained. “That’s what I’m working hard for, to play on the biggest stages against the best players. There’s no one as tough mentally as Serena. I love that challenge”
“I always know one thing: the match is never over. I think the same goes on the other side. No matter what the score is, the match is never going to be over. I think that’s the most visible lesson that we can learn.”
Azarenka’s clash will be the second women’s match to take place during the night-time session at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday.
